Chapter 17: Functional Organization of the Endocrine System
Chapter Objectives
Define the terms endocrine gland, hormone, and endocrine system.
Explain why a simple definition for hormone is difficult to create.
Explain why the endocrine system is primarily an amplitude-modulated system.
Describe the functional relationship between the nervous system and the endocrine system.
Explain how the regulation of hormone secretion is achieved.
Define the term half-life, and explain how the combination of hormones with plasma proteins affects their half-life.
Describe the means by which hormones are metabolized and excreted.
Explain how the sensitivity of target tissues to hormones can change.
Compare the relationship between hormones and their receptor molecules for membrane-bound and intracellular receptors.
List the categories of responses that can occur following the combination of hormones with membrane-bound receptors.
List some of the major hormones that bind to membrane-bound receptors and alter the permeability of the plasma membrane, alter G protein function, or activate intercellular enzymes.
Explain how the combination of a hormone with its membrane-bound receptor rapidly activates many intercellular enzymes to produce a cellular response.
Using diagrams, explain the intracellular mediator model of hormone action, and describe the characteristics of the responses that are produced.
List some of the intracellular mediator molecules produced in response to hormones binding to membrane-bound receptors.
